Great Day for ‘Burn

Bryansburn had a successful day on Saturday recording three wins and a draw from the four games played with the highlight being the 1^st XI booking their place in the 3^rd round of the Irish Cup.

The 1^st XI beat Seagoe in their 2^nd round Irish Cup tie but the 2-0 score-line did little justice to an impressive and dominant display in the depths of County Armagh.

Bryansburn were on the front foot from the whistle with Mellon, MacLeod and Kehoe assured in the centre of defence and Tyson & McGreevy causing the home side real problems down the flanks. Half chances fell to Morrison, Cochrane & Thompson with almost no reply from Seagoe but it took a bizarre own-goal after twenty minutes to give ‘Burn the lead. Good work on the right saw Morrison fire in a low shot but as the ‘keeper parried to “safety” their hapless centre-half blasted his clearance against the goalie’s head and the ball rebounded into the back of the net for 1-0. Luck, however, went full circle as the next twenty-five minutes saw ‘Burn totally in control but unable to add to their slim lead. Morrison shot narrowly wide of the post and had a diving header scrambled off the line; a great passing move saw a couple of Thompson shots well saved; Cooling stubbed a twenty yard effort while a string of corners and free-kicks went unrewarded. Half-time 1-0.

Jones replaced Mellon at the re-start and Cooling went close with a free-kick but Bryansburn had ‘keeper Close to thank for a good save to deny Seagoe an unlikely equaliser. ‘Burn resumed the offensive and laid siege to the home goal: Morrison had one shot smothered and another saved; McGreevy’s cross/shot flew inches wide of Tyson’s head and the post and both McGreevy and McMullan shots were foiled by increasingly desperate blocks in the penalty area. Hanna replaced Cochrane and, as ‘Burn pressed with increasing frustration for their second, Close again had to save their blushes by stifling a dangerous free-kick at his near-post. Seagoe sensed that they might get back into the game and threw everything they had at Bryansburn winning a number of free headers from free-kicks and corners but failing to find the net.

As the game went well past the ninety minutes a long clearance found substitute Stannex who calmly rounded two defenders before slotting home for a decisive 2-0 lead and another well-deserved cup victory.

A strange match, with the hardest part of the day negotiating the Belfast traffic chaos on the way to the match. On another day this could have been six or seven nil but as chances came and went without reward there was always the threat of Seagoe snatching a goal and pushing the game into extra time or penalties.

Best for Bryansburn: Macleod, Kehoe and Mellon’s calm and disciplined defending limited Seagoe to a single shot on target in the first forty-five minutes.

The 2^nd XI dropped two points when they drew 3-3 at home to Saintfield ll in an entertaining game at Ballywooley that they should have won.

There was no sign of the goals that were to come in opening twenty minutes as neither side had any chances of note albeit Bryansburn had the balance of play. Then Bryansburn cleared a corner and with a couple of players slow to push out the ball was played back in, headed across goal and tapped in as the visitors’ took the lead.  ‘Burn remained on top but created no more than a few half chances and still trailed 1-0 at the break.

Early in the second half the home side deservedly equalised when Patterson fired in an inviting cross from the left and Mallon headed the ball down and over the keeper to make it 1-1. Tyson then missed a couple of good chances for ‘Burn to take the lead while they survived one scramble in the box at the other end. Hainon replaced Mallon in the centre of the park on the hour mark and within a couple of minutes Bryansburn took the lead. Coard flicked the ball on for Tyson and his shot deflected in off a defender. However, the lead was short-lived as Saintfield hit back. A long throw into the box was flicked on and the ball looped over keeper Moore, hit the bar and was scrambled in.

With fifteen minutes remaining Bryansburn then took the lead for a second time. Coard delivered a pinpoint delivery from a corner to the back post where Parkes timed his run to perfection before volleying in off the underside of the bar. Yet again, ‘Burn failed to hold on to the lead and the damage was caused by another long throw. Patterson failed to clear and the ball fell for a striker to make it 3-3.

In an exciting finale both sides had chances to snatch a winner. Tyson fired the ball across goal and Ballantine hit the inside of the post with the ball rolling across the line before being cleared. At the other end Parkes was caught in possession, Gray brought a player down just outside the box and from the indirect free-kick Saintfield too hit the woodwork. Bryansburn pushed to the end but failed to find the winner their overall play deserved.    

On the other pitch the 3^rd XI were also involved in an entertaining match only they came out on top in a seven goal thriller against Stranmillis 37^th OB.

The opening stages were dominated by Bryansburn and Cardwell was foiled twice by the visiting keeper before the best chance of the match so far. Dempster chipped the ball over the Stranmillis back-line and Cardwell lifted the ball over the advancing keeper. However, the keeper got a hand to the ball taking the pace off it and a defender made it back to clear off the line.

Despite not having been in the game, Stranmillis served a warning as they carved open the ‘Burn rearguard to leave a player in on goal only for Steventon to make a great save. The warning was not heeded as shortly after they were gifted another chance and this time Steventon was beaten at the second attempt as the visitors took the lead.

It did not take long for the home side to equalise when McMurray curled the ball over the keeper, who was off his line, from wide on the left. ‘Burn remained on top and soon took the lead. A free-kick from wide right was swung in by McMurray, Cardwell challenged the keeper, they both missed the ball and it ended up in the net. The game became too open for the rest of the half and Steventon pulled off two saves and Patterson made a great goal-line clearance before 37^th made it 2-2. Even then ‘Burn should have regained the lead before the break. Dempster threaded in Cole and the keeper somehow managed to tip his blistering drive against the bar and over.

Having dominated most of the first half, ‘Burn lost their way somewhat in the early stages of the second half. The visitors had a number of chances to take the lead and would have done so had it not been for Steventon in nets. Finally they did go 3-2 in front, breaking down the right and squaring for the ball to be hammered home.

Bryansburn battled hard and finally played their way back into the game before scoring a brilliant equaliser. Cardwell won the ball in the middle of the park and played it wide right to Cole. He picked out Dempster at the back post and his cushioned header found substitute Gilmer and he blasted the ball home.

The game was now in the balance but Bryansburn always looked the most likely to get the winner and Gilmer was the hero as he chased a ball into the box and stabbed the ball past the keeper. Cole fired in a couple of dangerous crosses, Cardwell was foiled twice and Dempster missed a sitter as ‘Burn tried in vain to kill the game off. In the end it did not matter as Stranmillis never really troubled the ‘Burn defence in the closing ten minutes,

Best for Bryansburn were Cole and Steventon.

The 4^th XI travelled to Greenwell Star ll and returned with all three points after a tremendous 2-1 win.

In perfect conditions a fiercely competitive and entertaining game was played and well refereed by the Match Official.  Greenwell were in the ascendency for the opening twenty minutes, however the visitors defence and keeper Black ensured no break-through was made.  ‘Burn settled for the remainder of the first period and came close on three occasions through Lowry, Dickinson and Stone.  With half time looming a free kick in injury time was met by Lowry whose header back across the six yard box and headed home by Bogle for his second goal in successive games.

The home side were playing some great football and had a number of chances, however with Black in splendid form the visitors remained in front.

Halfway through the second period Stone's pace took him past firstly the midfielder and then the right-back before crossing low towards the back post where Lowry was at hand to double the score. 

‘Burn were reduced to 10 men for a second bookable offence and almost immediately the home side scrambled home a deserved goal.  With ten minutes remaining an injury to Lowry forced a reshuffle.  Canning made his eagerly awaited return to the heart of the defence and maintained stability.  Dickinson broke clear in the dying moments but his shot went past the post.  The visitors defended resolutely until the final whistle to earn all three points.

This was by far the best performance from the squad this season.  “Man of the Match” was Kennedy.

Training continues tonight (Thur) at Bangor Sportsplex, 7 – 8pm, and on Tuesday 8 – 9.30pm.

On Saturday the 1^st XI travel to Iveagh United while the 2^nd XI entertain Portaferry Rovers ll. In the Down Area League the 3^rd XI visit Ards Rangers lll and the 4^th XI are at home to Bangor Rangers IV in the 1^st round of the Reserve Team Cup. .

Players are reminded that annual subs are now overdue and must be paid or they will not be available for team selection.

A number of those booked in for the Club Christmas Dinner at the Stormont Hotel on Saturday 21^st December have still not paid their deposits. Money is also being taken for the Club Trip to Newcastle. Current price is £100 for return flights to Newcastle and three nights in a Travelodge Hotel. Places will be booked as payment up front is received. Please note that the current price will rise as more people book on. Please see Alan Dempster regarding both events.